Brillaince from Boyle in good horror

Rating: 8/10 (17 March 2009)

After a group of activists unleash rage infected apes, Britain becomes home to those infected with the virus, wiping out everybody in their way and for a group of survivors, they must do anything to survive.
28 days later is a mix of strong intelligent thinking, an artistic approach to direction and an endless spinning narrative that engages viewers right in to the very core of the gritty and energetic film that is Danny Boyle's work of genius.
A horror is a horror usually for the appearance of an abnormal being or 'monster' and here we see a human preaching concept of animal rights gone horribly wrong when the 'rage' virus affects people. What the cross brings are humans with blood thirsty traits, an inability to go out in daylight and constant appetite. Many have argued the creatures are zombies but these creations feel more personal and have way too much energy and thirst to be stereotyped as such creatures. The fact that they can affect a person by way of simple touch is scary and whilst this isn't as gripping as it had the potential to be, the physiological effect of these beings is sustained throughout the two hours.
Danny Boyle is a genius. The recent Oscar winner (Slumdog Millionaire) is able to maintain the thrill factor whilst also capturing the scenes in an unforgivably picturesque way. The filming of this picture is perhaps the finest ever made in Britain. The M1 had to be closed, the main road near Big Ben was shut and these are just a few examples of effort the team went in and considering these shots are only a couple of minutes long, it goes to show how appreciative and remarkable this film is.
The scenery is unbelievable. Who would have though our country could have been so picturesque? Boyle's sweeping landscape shots are to die for and the thrill factor in the chases is to live for, consistent and perhaps one of the finest directed British films.
Murphy, Harris, Gleeson and Burns all do themselves justice without being too screamy and abnormal as most protagonists in the genre today.
The sequel 28 weeks later though not directed by Boyle maintains that level of sublime scenery and adrenaline soaked excitement with a core desperate and energetic storyline whereas this 2002 hit carries a feeling of drama with the line of characters and their lives in the new world.
Whereas there are lapses and the end feels rushed 28 days is exciting and penetrates the mind with some unbelievable direction and location with the writing on top form.